Jae So Chandhaa Ougavehi Sooraj Charrehi Hajaar ||If a hundred moons were to rise, and a thousand suns appeared,

Eaethae Chaanan Hodhiaaan Gur Bin Ghor Andhhaar ||Even with such light, there would still be pitch darkness without the Guru.

Raag Asa : Guru Angad Dev

The second Guru, Shri Guru Angad Dev Ji, was born in 1504 in a village called Harike in Ferozpur district in Punjab and was chosen by Guru Nanak from amongst his disciples to carry on his teachings. Before his meeting with Guru Nanak Dev Ji he was known as Bhai Lehna. Bhai Lehna Ji used to worship Durga (a Hindu Goddess) and would lead groups of worshippers to Jawalamukhi Temple every year. Then Bhai Lehna Ji along with his whole family were forced to leave their ancestral village because of ransacking by the Mughals and settled in Khadur Sahib beside the Beas river, near Tarn Taran Sahib.

Guru Angad Dev Ji first met Guru Nanak in 1532, at Kartarpur (Pakistan) on his way to Jwalamukhi and became his disciple. One day Bhai Lehna Ji heard Bhai Jodha Ji (a Sikh follower of Guru Nanak Dev Ji) reciting a hymn and was so overwhelmed he decided to proceed to Kartarpur as he felt he must meet Guru Nanak Dev Ji whilst on his annual pilgrimage to Jwalamukhi Temple.

From the very first meeting, Bhai Lehna Ji was completely transformed. He renounced the worship of Hindu Gods and dedicated himself to the service of Guru Nanak Dev Ji. His devotion was great and he embodied obedience and service. Guru Nanak Dev Ji gave him a new name "Guru Angad Dev Ji". Guru Angad Dev Ji spent seven years in the service of Guru Nanak Dev Ji at Kartarpur.Guru Nanak was most impressed with the devotion and selfless services of Lehna.

After the death of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji left for Khadur Sahib, a village near Goindwal Sahib. In 1541 AD he created modifications to the "Gurmukhi Painti" (written form of Punjabi created by Guru Nank Dev Ji). He promoted the Gurmukhi script as now known and made it known to all Sikhs. The scripture of the Granth Sahib is written in Gurmukhi. This scripture is also the basis of Punjabi language. He took great interest in the education of children and opened many schools and increased literacy in all places he visited. Guru Angad Dev ji also established many centres where hundreds of followers would gather to listen hymns and stories. Guru Angad made Khadur Sahib his headquarters and one of the better known visitors to pay homage was Humayun, the Mughal Emperor.

In 1544 AD he got a biography of Guru Nanak written by Paira Mokha and the facts being dictated by Bhai Bala, which in a modified form is known as Bala Janamsakhi. Guru Angad was a model of self-less service to his Sikhs and showed them the way to devotional prayers.

Guru Angad Dev Ji composed 63 slokas in the Adi Granth as well as expanding the institution of "Langar". He died in March 1552 AD at Khadur Sahib at the age of 48 years. Maintaining the marayada of dehidhari guruship as Guru Nanak Dev Ji did with Guru Angad Dev Ji, Guru Angad Dev Ji appointed Guru Amar Das Ji as the next Guru.